Frequently Asked Questions

Environmental Process

What is a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)?

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Red Line project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The purpose of an EIS is to provide a full evaluation of the environmental issues surrounding a proposed action and to inform decision-makers and the public of reasonable alternatives that could avoid or minimize adverse impacts. The Draft EIS (also known as a DEIS) consists of a printed report for public review and comment which:

Identifies and explains the purpose and need for improvements in the corridor
Describes the alternatives for the proposed action being considered
Identifies the environmental and community effects of each alternative and measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse impacts of the proposed action
Describes agency and public coordination efforts
Serves as the basis for a decision
Allows opportunities for public and agency input

What is the current status of the transit planning phase? How many more years of planning are needed before construction?

The results of the analysis completed during the initial planning phase are presented in the Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is currently open for public comment through January 5, 2009. After all comments are received, the Locally Preferred Alternative will be determined and a Request to Initiate Preliminary Engineering will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This is a key initial step in applying for federal funding for the Red Line.

Once the Locally Preferred Alternative is determined, further design will be performed in response to public comments and concerns and to avoid, minimize or and mitigate detrimental impacts. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) documents this further analysis and better defines the Red Line. After the FEIS is published and distributed, a Record of Decision is issued. As its name implies, the Record of Decision is the official document specifying what has been selected for final design. It is anticipated that the Record of Decision for the Red Line will be issued by the end of 2010. This will end the planning and preliminary engineering phase of the Red Line.

After the planning phase comes the design phase in which all specifics will be defined. This is done to a much greater detail than during the planning phase because it will form the basis for all construction bids. Presently the schedule anticipates that design for the Red Line will be completed approximately two years after the planning phase (when the Record of Decision is issued). For the Red Line, construction should start within three to six months after bids are accepted.

In summary, people should start seeing evidence of construction in 2012 - 2013.

Will there be a Public Hearing on the Red Line project?

Four public hearings have been scheduled in November 2008 for the Red Line AA/DEIS. The purpose of these hearings is to allow the public an opportunity to review and provide testimony on the AA/DEIS that has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This document presents the project's purpose and need, an alternatives analysis, the affected natural and human environments, possible impacts and potential mitigation for the build alternatives. Public comments received at the hearings and during the 90-day comment period, along with comments received from regulatory agencies will be considered by the MTA in reaching an informed decision on the Locally Preferred Alternative.

When will the Public Hearings take place?

Public hearings for the Red Line will be held at the following locations:

Thursday, November 6 - 4:00PM-9:00PM - Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St, Baltimore, MD 21201. Served by Bus Routes: 10, 20, 35
Saturday, November 8 - 10:00AM-3:00PM - Edmondson High School, 501 N. Athol Ave. Baltimore, MD 21229. Served by Bus Routes: 6, 23,
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 4:00PM-9:00PM - UAW Hall, 1010 Oldham St, Baltimore, MD 21224. Served by Bus Routes: 10, 22, 23, 40
Thursday, November 13 - 4:00PM-9:00PM - Woodlawn High School, 1801 Woodlawn Dr, Baltimore MD 21207. Served by Bus Routes: M6, 44

Click here for more information on the upcoming public hearings.

Where can I view a copy of the DEIS for the Red Line?

The Red Line AA/DEIS can be viewed through the project website. Additionally, there are printed copies of the AA/DEIS available for review at public libraries throughout the corridor.

How can I offer official comments on the project?

The MTA is currently accepting comments on the Red Line AA/DEIS through January 5, 2009. There are many ways individuals and groups can submit official comments on the Red Line Project. You can:

1. Give oral or written testimony at the public hearings scheduled in November 2008.

2. Send written correspondence - sent to Diane Ratcliff, Director, Office of Planning, MTA, 6 St. Paul St. 9^th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 on or before close of business on January 5, 2009.

3. Completing a DEIS comment form at www.baltimoreredline.com.

4. Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "DEIS COMMENT" as the subject line before 5:00PM on January 5, 2009.

*Please note: all comments, whether written, verbal or electronic, will be given equal consideration in the DEIS project deliberation. ALL comments received on or before January 5, 2009 will become part of the official record.

What is "Environmental Justice"? How does it relate to the Red Line Corridor Transit Project?

Inadequate access to information and decision-making increases the potential that a specific group of people could be adversely affected by a transportation project and increases the likelihood their needs or concerns will not be fully addressed. Since 1964, policies have been developed to ensure that environmental justice is achieved in federal projects. This ensures the civil rights of minority and low-income populations are protected and that the decision-making process for a transportation project is free from discrimination.

Environmental Justice (EJ) is a term coined in Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations, dated February 11, 1994. In general, this presidential order requires that if an agency's program or activity uses federal funds it must strive to achieve environmental justice by:

Making a meaningful effort to involve low-income and minority populations in the decision-making process, and
Evaluating the impact - favorable and adverse - of a project's activity on a minority or low-income population's health and environment

This Executive Order served to amplify provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which generally states that no group shall be discriminated against on the ground of race, color or national origin. Further related requirements were issued in Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, requiring project outreach to include people of limited English proficiency.

All of these provisions promote a public involvement strategy for transportation projects that targets minorities, low-income and limited English proficiency communities, as well as communities of the same national origin and/or religious affiliation, aging populations and the disabled.

As part of the Red Line study, the MTA has committed to achieving environmental justice so that everyone is provided an opportunity to get involved in the decision-making process. Early on, the study team began gathering demographic data about the neighborhoods within the Red Line study area with the purpose of understanding where minority, low-income and other unique populations exist.

Ongoing community outreach efforts give the MTA an opportunity to inform the public on the status of the study while remaining sensitive to concerns, understanding issues and addressing questions at the individual and neighborhood level. Red Line public involvement and environmental justice outreach activities include:

AA/DEIS Public Hearings scheduled in November 2008
Speaker's Bureau Meetings/Neighborhood Events/Community Meetings
Open House Public Meetings
Citizens' Advisory Council
Newsletters in English and non-English versions
Study Area Resource Hubs

Each of these outreach activities has the same goal - to establish and maintain two-way, open communication between the study team and community members, including minority and low-income populations. The MTA is committed to implementing environmental justice principles to improve the Red Line study for everyone involved.

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